Recent comments by President Donald Trump about potentially deploying military ships near the Cuban coastline have sparked skepticism and ridicule on social media. Many Cubans are attributing these statements to the upcoming U.S. legislative elections on November 3rd.
At a rally held in the Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Florida, to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, Trump mentioned that upon returning from Iran, his ships would pass by Cuba, with one stopping approximately 50 yards off the coast. He claimed that this would lead Cubans to "raise their hands."
Trump also stated his intention to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio to negotiate with the Cuban government, saying, "We can just leave him there and he'll figure it out. He's a great guy."
When CiberCuba shared the news on Facebook, numerous users expressed skepticism about these declarations resulting in actual actions.
Comments such as "Gathering the last votes," "The elections are coming," and "Just pure electoral message, because if he loses one of the chambers, they'll corner him," were written by users linking the speech to U.S. political maneuvering.
Others criticized the condition set by Trump for the supposed naval deployment, timing it after operations in Iran. "Did you hear that? After Iran, meaning never. He fooled you again," one commented. Another summed up their disbelief with a popular phrase: "It's the same old story!"
The reference to a distance of 50 yards, roughly 46 meters, also fueled jokes. "Ships, with the island 90 miles away?" an internet user questioned.
Among the comments were references to the daily struggles of the Cuban population, particularly the extended power outages. "Blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile, in 'darkland,' we continue, not the same, but worse than when this endless saga began," another user remarked.
Trump's statements are part of a series of similar remarks throughout the year. In May, the president suggested deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier 100 yards from the Cuban coast.
In September, during the "Shield of the Americas" summit in New York, he joked about taking Rubio to Cuba on an aircraft carrier and leaving him there to "solve the rest."
The discussion about Cuba coincided on Friday with an unusual message from Rubio on his official account, publicly urging those seeking change on the island to collaborate with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
"For those aiming to create a positive change in Cuba: now is the time (...) seize this opportunity to achieve the change you want through discreet collaboration with the CIA," the Secretary of State posted.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla responded by rejecting U.S. threats and aspirations of domination over the island. "We reject any threats on U.S. ambitions towards Cuba. Our coasts have beautiful beaches, but also 'diente de perro,' inhospitable for those arriving with hostile intentions and domination desires," he wrote on social media.
The November 3rd legislative elections include a gubernatorial race in Florida, a federal Senate seat, and several House of Representatives positions.
October polls show Republicans with a 52% to 41% lead among Cuban Americans in the Senate race, a statistic that commentators relate to the renewed focus on Cuba in the final days of the campaign.
Understanding Trump's Statements on Military Presence Near Cuba
What was Trump's proposed military action regarding Cuba?
Trump suggested sending military ships near the Cuban coast, with one stopping 50 yards offshore, claiming this would cause Cubans to "raise their hands."
Why are Cubans skeptical about Trump's statements?
Many Cubans view Trump's statements as election-driven rhetoric, doubting they will lead to real action, especially given the condition of the deployment following operations in Iran.
How did Marco Rubio respond to Trump's remarks?
Marco Rubio encouraged those seeking change in Cuba to collaborate with the CIA, aligning with Trump's focus on the island.